INDIANA – As October marks Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) is reminding customers across the country, including those in Indiana, that they can contribute directly to finding a cure simply by purchasing a Breast Cancer Awareness Month stamp.
The Breast Cancer Research semipostal stamp, priced at 90 cents, is available year-round and is designed to raise funds for research efforts. Since its release in 1998, the stamp has generated approximately $98 million for the cause.
How the Semipostal Stamp Works
The Breast Cancer Research stamp is a self-adhesive, First-Class Mail semipostal product sold in sheets of 20. The current purchase price of 90 cents is higher than the standard First-Class Mail postage rate for a 1-ounce letter. The difference between the purchase price and the current postage rate (minus USPS costs) is legally designated as a contribution to research.
The collected funds are distributed according to federal law:
- 70 percent is allocated to the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
- 30 percent is given to the medical research program at the Department of Defense (DOD).
The Breast Cancer Research stamp holds the distinction of being the first semipostal stamp in U.S. history, authorized by Congress in 1998 to raise funds specifically for cancer research. Its sale authority was reauthorized by the Stamp Out Breast Cancer Reauthorization Act of 2019, extending its availability through 2027.
Where to Purchase
The stamp is available for purchase throughout the year at:
- Post Offices nationwide.
- Online at usps.com.
- By mail order through the USA Philatelic catalog or by calling 800-STAMP-24 (800-782-6724).
The USPS also offers three other fundraising semipostal stamps to support national causes: the Save Vanishing Species stamp (issued in 2011), the Alzheimer’s stamp (2017), and the Healing PTSD stamp (2019).
